Convertible Seat - Deck Arrangement for a Boat

ABSTRACT

A convertible deck arrangement is provided for a boat including a passenger area having a periphery and an interior region within the periphery. A portion of the passenger area includes a deck arrangement area bounded in part by the periphery of the passenger area. The convertible deck arrangement includes: horizontal seating surfaces, positioned at the periphery of the passenger area and within the deck arrangement area; deck elements; and pivot mounts, for allowing the deck elements to be pivoted relative to the horizontal seating surfaces. The deck elements can be pivoted between a first configuration and a second configuration. When the deck elements are in the first configuration, the deck elements are vertically positioned adjacent to a vertical wall below the horizontal seating surfaces and seats are formed within the deck arrangement area. When the deck elements are in the second configuration, the deck elements are horizontally positioned adjacent to the horizontal seating surfaces and to each other and form a deck bounded by the deck arrangement area.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/082,395, filed Jul. 21, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to seats and seating arrangements in a boat and to deck arrangements on a boat.

BACKGROUND

Boats have been developed with a variety of seating arrangements and decks to accommodate the demands of the market. The seating arrangements often reflect the size of the boat and the intended use of the boat. The decks are often placed across areas of the boat with no seating, such as over a closed bow, at an elevation significantly higher than a boat floor. The decks typically offer a relatively flat horizontal area suited for lying down and/or sunbathing. Typically, boats have seating and deck arrangements that are specific to a given purpose and integrated with the design of the boat (e.g., a seating area is used for seats and a deck area is reserved for the deck). Given a limited amount of space on a boat, there are benefits in providing features that serve multiple purposes. In particular, there is a need for a boat with convertible seating arrangements and convertible deck arrangements. The present disclosure fulfills this and other needs.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a convertible deck arrangement for a boat, the deck arrangement having deck elements that are pivotally moveable to convert the deck arrangement between a first and a second configuration. The deck arrangement occupies a deck arrangement area of the boat. When the deck arrangement is in the first configuration, the deck elements provide lower trim surfaces to seats between seating surfaces of the seats and the boat's floor. The first configuration opens the deck arrangement area of the boat for seating and adds seating capacity to the boat. The second configuration of the deck arrangement forms a deck over the deck arrangement area of the boat.

In a preferred embodiment, the seating surfaces of the seats are also used as a portion of the deck when the deck elements are in the second configuration. The shared seating-deck surfaces preferably extend along a portion of a periphery of a passenger area of the boat and can form a U-shaped or a V-shaped seating arrangement. The shared seating-deck surfaces can also extend along the periphery of the passenger area in two or more discrete sections. When the deck arrangement is in the second configuration, the deck elements extend from the shared seating-deck surfaces and form the deck between them. The shared seating-deck surfaces and the deck elements thereby form a substantially horizontal and substantially continuous deck surface between the portion of the periphery of the passenger area of the boat when the deck arrangement is in the second configuration. The deck elements can be held horizontally by a set of one or more foldable legs supported by the floor of the boat. The foldable legs can be stored in pockets when the deck arrangement is in the first configuration. The pockets can be formed within one or more of the deck elements and/or can be formed within vertical walls underneath the shared seating-deck surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a boat showing an open bow area including an example convertible deck arrangement in a first configuration providing peripheral seating capacity to the open bow area of the boat;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the boat of FIG. 1 showing the convertible deck arrangement in a second configuration providing a deck over the open bow area of the boat;

FIG. 3 is a right rear perspective view of another example convertible deck arrangement in a second configuration providing a deck; and

FIG. 4 is a right rear perspective view of the convertible deck arrangement of FIG. 3 in a first configuration providing seats.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a convertible deck arrangement for boats. Referring to FIG. 1, a boat 50 is shown including a hull 100 with a bow 102, a stem 104, a port side 106, and a starboard side 108. The boat 50 includes a passenger area 101 including an open bow 115. The open bow 115 includes an example convertible deck arrangement 120 that extends across a bow portion 105 of the passenger area 101. The convertible deck arrangement 120 includes a port-side pivotal deck element 306 and a starboard-side pivotal deck element 308 (see FIG. 2) that are each moveable between a first configuration (shown at FIG. 1) and a second configuration (shown at FIG. 2).

When the deck elements 306, 308 are in the first configuration, seats 150 along a periphery of the open bow 115 are available for seating and a floor 130 of the boat 50 continues into the open bow 115 from a central passenger area 103 via a walkway 110. The deck elements 306, 308, in the first configuration, provide lower trim surfaces to certain of the seats 150 between seating surfaces of the seats 150 and the floor 130 of the boat 50.

When the deck elements 306, 308 are in the second configuration, a deck 160 within the open bow 115 is available for use. The deck elements 306, 308, in the second configuration, extend horizontally between the seats 150 and meet each other. The horizontal deck elements 306, 308 also horizontally continue substantially horizontal seating surfaces 152 of the seats 150. In this way, the deck elements 306, 308 and the horizontal seating surfaces 152 of the seats 150 together provide the deck 160.

The boat 50 has a superstructure that includes the hull 100 and structures integrated with the hull 100 such as stringers, decking, seating surfaces, flooring, bulkheads, bow and stem platforms, and other structures. The superstructure can include a stem wall 126, a port wall 128, a starboard wall 129, and the floor 130 that generally define a periphery of the passenger area 101. A bow wall can also be included between the port wall 128 and the starboard wall 129 or the port and starboard walls 128, 129 can meet each other at the bow 102 as illustrated at FIGS. 1 and 2. In certain embodiments, the hull 100, the stem wall 126, the port wall 128, the starboard wall 129, and the floor 130 can have a fiberglass construction. The port wall 128 and the starboard wall 129 can extend vertically above the horizontal seating surfaces 152 of the seats 150 and function as a backrest for the seats 150. The seats 150 can include cushions provided at the horizontal seating surfaces 152 and the extended, backrest portion of the port and starboard walls 128, 129 to enhance passenger seating comfort.

Within the passenger area 101, the superstructure can also include a front sub-wall 132, a port-side sub-wall 136, and a starboard-side sub-wall 138 that vertically extend from the floor 130 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). In a preferred embodiment, illustrated at FIG. 4, the sub-walls 132, 136, 138 provide support for the horizontal seating surfaces 152 of the seats 150. In other embodiments, a supporting frame or structure may support the horizontal seating surfaces 152. A volume bounded by the horizontal seating surfaces 152, the sub-walls 132, 136, 138, and the hull 100 can be used as storage areas 500. Access to the storage areas 500 can be gained by temporarily removing the horizontal seating surfaces 152.

The horizontal seating surfaces 152 can include multiple segments each with one or more cushions. In the example illustrated at FIGS. 1 through 4, a port segment 206 and a starboard segment 208, are adjacent the port wall 128 and the starboard wall 129 respectively. An optional bow segment 202 is positioned between the port segment 206 and the starboard segment 208 and is adjacent the port and starboard walls 128, 129. In the depicted embodiment, the port segment 206 includes a first cushion 216, a second cushion 246, and an interior edge 236. The first and second cushions 216, 246 meet at a trim line 226. The starboard segment 208 includes a first cushion 218, a second cushion 248, and an interior edge 238. The first and second cushions 218, 248 meet at a trim line 228. The bow segment 202 includes a first cushion 212, a second cushion 242, and an interior edge 232. The first and second cushions 212, 242 meet at a trim line 222. The segments 202, 206, 208 preferably include a structural layer underneath the cushions 212, 216, 218, 242, 246, 248.

To provide styling and comfort, the cushions 212, 216, 218, 242, 246, 248 can have various elevations. In the depicted embodiment, the first cushions 212, 216, 218 are at a common elevation that is slightly higher that a common elevation of the second cushions 242, 246, 248. In other embodiments, such cushions are at generally the same height. The trim lines 222, 226, 228 can be continuous with each other to provide addition styling detail and/or to provide passenger comfort. The trim lines 222, 226, 228 and the interior edges 232, 236, 238 can be straight or can be curved. In the depicted embodiment, the trim lines 222, 226, 228 and the interior edges 232, 236, 238 are generally parallel with each other and also parallel with the periphery of the open bow 115 to give a coordinated overall look to the boat 50. In the depicted embodiment, the overall styling of the horizontal seating surfaces 152 is symmetric about a mid-plane of the boat 50 from the bow 102 to the stern 104. In other embodiments, the styling is non-symmetric.

In a preferred embodiment, the interior edge 236 of the port segment 206 of the horizontal seating surfaces 152 overhangs the port-side sub-wall 136. Likewise, the interior edge 238 of the starboard segment 208 overhangs the starboard-side sub-wall 138, and the interior edge 232 of the bow segment 202 overhangs the bow-side sub-wall 132. Overhanging the horizontal seating surfaces 152 over the sub-walls 132, 136, 138 provides space underneath the horizontal seating surfaces 152 for the deck elements 306, 308 and a trim piece 302, attached to the bow-side sub-wall 132. Overhanging horizontal seating surfaces 152 may also enhance passenger seating comfort.

The example port-side pivotal deck element 306 and the example starboard-side pivotal deck element 308 are further illustrated at FIGS. 3 and 4. The deck element 306 preferably includes at least one cushion 316 mounted on a structural layer 326, a forward edge 332 p, and an inboard edge 346. Likewise, the deck element 308 preferably includes at least one cushion 318 mounted on a structural layer 328, a forward edge 332 s, and an inboard edge 348. The cushion 316 shares the forward edge 332 p and the inboard edge 346 with the deck element 306 and has an inwardly offset edge 336 opposite the inboard edge 346. Likewise, the cushion 318 shares the forward edge 332 s and the inboard edge 348 with the deck element 308 and has an inwardly offset edge 338 opposite the inboard edge 348. The trim piece 302 also preferably includes a cushion 312 that also has an inwardly offset edge 332.

The trim piece 302, along with the deck elements 306, 308 (as mentioned above) provide lower trim surfaces to the seats 150 when the deck elements 306, 308 are in the first configuration as illustrated at FIG. 4. In particular, the forward edges 332 p and 332 s are adjacent the cushion 312 of the trim piece 302, and the offset edges 332, 336, and 338 of the cushions 312, 316, 318 and the cushions 312, 316, 318 themselves match each other and accentuate the boat's 50 style. A recess can be formed between the offset edges 332, 336, and 338 of the cushions 312, 316, 318 and the overhang of the horizontal seating surfaces 152. The recess can serve as a styling accent to the boat 50 and can be finished to match the cushions 312, 316, 318, the horizontal seating surfaces 152, and/or other styling details of the boat 50. The recess can also be covered (e.g., by upholstery blending with the cushions 312, 316, 318 and/or the horizontal seating surfaces 152).

The deck elements 306, 308 can be rotatably connected to the superstructure of the boat 50. For example, the deck element 306 can be mounted on a first hinge, with a rotational axis A₁, which in turn is mounted on the port-side sub-wall 136 (see FIG. 3). Likewise, the deck element 308 can be mounted on a second hinge, with a rotational axis A₂, which in turn is mounted on the starboard-side sub-wall 138. In this example, the first and second hinges guide the movement of the deck elements 306, 308 when moved between the first configuration and the second configuration. The offset edges 336, 338 of the cushions 316, 318 allow the rotational axes A₁, A₂ of the first and second hinges to be adjacent the sub-walls 136, 138 and also allow the horizontal seating surfaces 152 to overhang the sub-walls 136, 138.

Alternatively, the offset edges 336, 338 of the cushions 316, 318 can be replaced with edges generally coinciding with corresponding edges of the deck elements 306, 308. In this embodiment, interference between the cushions 316, 318 and the horizontal seating surfaces 152, when in the second configuration, can be avoided by repositioning/redesigning the first and second hinges such that their rotational axes A₁, A₂ are positioned inward and/or lower than shown at FIG. 3. The first and second hinges can be mounted to the horizontal seating surfaces 152 thereby supporting the deck elements 306, 308.

The first and second hinges in combination with gravity and/or friction between the floor and the deck elements 306, 308 can hold/keep the deck elements stable in the first configuration. In other embodiments, latches may hold the deck elements 306, 308 in the first configuration. In still other embodiments, a linear or rotational powered actuator may move the deck elements 306, 308 between the first and second configurations. In yet other embodiments, a linkage, a slot, a tether, or a combination of these and/or other guiding elements may be used to guide the deck elements 306, 308 between the first and second configurations. Such linkages, slots, etc. can also be used to avoid interference between the cushions 316, 318 and the horizontal seating surfaces 152.

In the example embodiment, when the deck elements 306, 308 are in the second configuration, the interior edge 236 of the port segment 206 of the horizontal seating surfaces 152 is adjacent the offset edge 336 of the cushion 316 of the deck element 306. Likewise, the interior edge 238 of the starboard segment 208 of the horizontal seating surfaces 152 is adjacent the offset edge 338 of the cushion 318 of the deck element 308. In the second configuration, the forward edges 332 p, 332 s of the deck elements 306, 308 are adjacent the interior edge 232 of the bow segment 202 of the horizontal seating surfaces 152. In this way, the deck elements 306, 308 and the horizontal seating surfaces 152 of the seats 150 together provide the deck 160 when the deck elements 306, 308 are in the second configuration.

In the example embodiment, when the deck elements 306, 308 are in the second configuration, the cushions 212, 216, 218, 242, 246, 248, 316, and 318 have various elevations. In particular, the first cushions 212, 216, 218 of the horizontal seating surfaces 152 are at a common elevation that is slightly higher than a common elevation of the second cushions 242, 246, 248 that is slightly higher than a common elevation of the cushions 316, 318 of the deck elements 306, 308. In other embodiments, such cushions are at generally the same height.

To support and keep the deck elements 306, 308 in the second configuration, one or more foldable legs can be used. In the example embodiment, a first foldable leg 402 and a second foldable leg 404 support the deck element 308 in the second configuration by resting on the floor 130 of the boat 50. In particular, the first foldable leg 402 is rotatably mounted to the deck element 308 about an axis A₃ and is moveable between an extended position and a stowed position. Likewise, the second foldable leg 404 is rotatably mounted to the deck element 308 about an axis A₄ and is also moveable between an extended position and a stowed position. In the extended position, the foldable legs 402, 404 are generally perpendicular to the deck element 308 as illustrated at FIG. 3. Pockets 412 _(C), 414 _(C) can be included within the deck element 308 to at least partly hold the foldable legs 402, 404 respectively. The foldable legs 402, 404 are positioned along lengths of the pockets 412 _(C), 414 _(C) when in the stowed position and are generally parallel to the deck element 308. In alternative embodiments, pockets 412 _(W), 414 _(W) can be included within the starboard-side sub-wall 138 such that the stowed foldable legs 402, 404 are at least partly positioned within the pockets 412 _(W), 414 _(W) when the deck element 308 is in the first configuration. In still other embodiments, both sets of pockets 412 _(C), 414 _(C) and 412 _(W), 414 _(W) can be used to hold the stowed foldable legs 402, 404 when the deck element 308 is in the first configuration.

The foldable legs 402, 404 can have remote means of actuation (e.g., a cable or lever) to move the legs 402, 404 between the extended and stowed positions. The actuation of the foldable legs 402, 404 can be coordinated (e.g., a common linkage can join them and cause them to move simultaneously between the extended and stowed positions). The movement of each leg 402, 404 can be in opposite directions, similar directions, or in different directions when the legs 402, 404 move between the extended and stowed positions.

The deck element 306 can include similar foldable legs and pockets as the deck element 308. Alternatively, the deck element 306 may rest on a ledge of the deck element 308 (not shown) when in the second configuration and thereby be supported by the deck element 308 in conjunction with the extended foldable legs 402, 404. Similarly, other embodiments of a convertible deck arrangement may use only a single foldable leg.

Other embodiments may use various other means to hold the deck elements 306, 308 in the second configuration. For example, latches, removable cross-bars, the linear or rotational powered actuator, or prop-rods can be used. The prop-rods can extend between the deck elements 306, 308 and the sub-walls 136, 138.

In the example convertible deck arrangement 120, two deck elements 306, 308 are included near the bow 102 of the boat 50. In other embodiments, more than two deck elements may be included. In other embodiments, a convertible deck arrangement 120 may be near the stern 104 of the boat 50. In still other embodiments, without the optional bow segment 202 positioned between the port segment 206 and the starboard segment 208, a convertible deck arrangement can be near the center of the boat 50.

In other embodiments, seating arrangements in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure may be incorporated into different boat styles such as pontoon boats, catamarans, trimarans or other types of boats. In one embodiment, seating arrangements in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure can be incorporated into a runabout style boat or other type of boat having a passenger capacity of less than 15 people.

The above specification provides examples of how certain inventive aspects may be put into practice. It will be appreciated that the inventive aspects can be practiced in other ways than those specifically shown and described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive aspects of the present disclosure. 

1. A convertible deck arrangement for a boat, the boat including a passenger area having a periphery and a deck arrangement area bounded in part by the periphery of the passenger area, the convertible deck arrangement comprising: at least one substantially horizontal seating surface positioned at the periphery of the passenger area and within the deck arrangement area; at least two deck elements; and rotatable mounts, for allowing the deck elements to be rotated and positioned relative to the at least one horizontal seating surface between a first position and a second position; wherein when the deck elements are in the first position, the deck elements are positioned below the at least one horizontal seating surface and seats are formed within the deck arrangement area; and wherein when the deck elements are in the second position, the deck elements are substantially horizontally positioned adjacent to the at least one horizontal seating surface and to each other and form a deck together with the at least one horizontal seating surface.
 2. The convertible deck arrangement of claim 1, wherein the deck is bounded by the deck arrangement area.
 3. The convertible deck arrangement of claim 1, further comprising at least one substantially vertical wall below the at least one horizontal seating surface, wherein when the deck elements are in the first position, at least one of the deck elements are substantially vertically positioned adjacent to the vertical wall.
 4. The convertible deck arrangement of claim 1, further comprising at least one deployable leg rotatably mounted to at least one of the deck elements, the deployable leg supporting at least part of the deck elements when the deck elements are in the second position.
 5. The convertible deck arrangement of claim 4, further comprising a pocket within at least one of the deck elements, wherein the deployable leg is stored within the pocket when the deck elements are in the first position.
 6. The convertible deck arrangement of claim 3, further comprising at least one deployable leg and a pocket within the vertical wall, the deployable leg rotatably mounted to at least one of the deck elements, the deployable leg supporting at least part of the deck elements when the deck elements are in the second position, and wherein the deployable leg is stored within the pocket of the vertical wall when the deck elements are in the first position.
 7. A convertible seat-deck arrangement for a bow of a boat, the convertible seat-deck arrangement comprising: a port seat including a port seating surface that extends from a first edge to a second edge, the first edge of the port seating surface generally positioned along a portion of a perimeter of a bow passenger area adjacent a port side of the boat, the second edge of the port seating surface spaced in a generally starboard facing direction from the first edge of the port seating surface; a reconfigurable port seat skirt having a first configuration and a second configuration, the port seat skirt including a port skirt surface that extends from a first edge to a second edge, the first edge of the port skirt surface positioned generally parallel with the second edge of the port seating surface; a starboard seat including a starboard seating surface that extends from a first edge to a second edge, the first edge of the starboard seating surface generally positioned along a portion of the perimeter of the bow passenger area adjacent a starboard side of the boat, the second edge of the starboard seating surface spaced in a generally port facing direction from the first edge of the starboard seating surface; a reconfigurable starboard seat skirt having a first configuration and a second configuration, the starboard seat skirt including a starboard skirt surface that extends from a first edge to a second edge, the first edge of the starboard skirt surface positioned generally parallel with the second edge of the starboard seating surface; and a footwell bounded at least in part by the second edge of the port seating surface, the second edge of the starboard seating surface, and a floor of the bow passenger area; wherein the port seat includes the port seat skirt when the port seat skirt is in its first configuration; wherein the first edge of the port skirt surface is positioned below the second edge of the port seating surface and the second edge of the port skirt surface is positioned below the first edge of the port skirt surface when the port seat skirt is in its first configuration; wherein the starboard seat includes the starboard seat skirt when the starboard seat skirt is in its first configuration; wherein the first edge of the starboard skirt surface is positioned below the second edge of the starboard seating surface and the second edge of the starboard skirt surface is positioned below the first edge of the starboard skirt surface when the starboard seat skirt is in its first configuration; and wherein the port seating surface, the starboard seating surface, the port skirt surface, and the starboard skirt surface are collectively transformed into at least a portion of a substantially horizontal deck when the port seat skirt and the starboard seat skirt are in their second configurations.
 8. The convertible seat-deck arrangement of claim 7, further comprising a bow seat including a bow seating surface that extends from a first edge to a second edge, the first edge of the bow seating surface generally positioned along a portion of the perimeter of the bow passenger area adjacent the bow of the boat, the second edge of the bow seating surface spaced in a generally aft direction from the first edge of the bow seating surface.
 9. The convertible seat-deck arrangement of claim 8, wherein the bow seating surface of the bow seat is also collectively transformed into the substantially horizontal deck when the port seat skirt and the starboard seat skirt are in their second configurations.
 10. The convertible seat-deck arrangement of claim 7, wherein the port skirt surface and the starboard skirt surface are oriented substantially vertically when the port seat skirt and the starboard seat skirt are in their first configurations.
 11. The convertible seat-deck arrangement of claim 9, wherein the port skirt surface and the starboard skirt surface are oriented substantially vertically and the second edge of the port skirt surface and the second edge of the starboard skirt surface are generally parallel to the floor of the bow passenger area when the port seat skirt and the starboard seat skirt are in their first configurations.
 12. The convertible seat-deck arrangement of claim 11, further comprising a bow seat skirt including a bow skirt surface, the bow skirt surface extending from a first edge to a second edge, the first edge of the bow skirt surface positioned generally parallel with the second edge of the bow seating surface.
 13. The convertible seat-deck arrangement of claim 12, wherein the footwell is further bounded by the port seat skirt, the bow seat skirt, and the starboard seat skirt when the port seat skirt and the starboard seat skirt are in their first configurations.
 14. The convertible seat-deck arrangement of claim 7, wherein the footwell is substantially covered by the port seat skirt and the starboard seat skirt when the port seat skirt and the starboard seat skirt are in their second configurations.
 15. The convertible seat-deck arrangement of claim 13, wherein the port skirt surface, the bow skirt surface, and the starboard skirt surface together form a wraparound that wraps around a port side, a bow side, and a starboard side of the footwell, the first edges of the port skirt surface, the bow skirt surface, and the starboard skirt surface blending together to form a first edge of the wraparound, and the second edges of the port skirt surface, the bow skirt surface, and the starboard skirt surface blending together to form a second edge of the wraparound when the port seat skirt and the starboard seat skirt are in their first configurations.
 16. The convertible seat-deck arrangement of claim 15, wherein an aft side of the footwell is open and the floor of the bow passenger area transitions to a walkway of the boat at or near the aft side of the footwell.
 17. The convertible seat-deck arrangement of claim 7, wherein the port seat skirt and the starboard seat skirt are each rotatably mounted to the boat and pivot with respect to the boat between their first and second configurations.
 18. The convertible seat-deck arrangement of claim 17, wherein foldable supports support the port seat skirt and/or the starboard seat skirt when the port seat skirt and the starboard seat skirt are in their second configurations.
 19. The convertible seat-deck arrangement of claim 7, wherein the port seating surface, the starboard seating surface, the port skirt surface, and the starboard skirt surface are cushioned surfaces.
 20. The convertible seat-deck arrangement of claim 7, wherein the port seat includes a port backrest and the starboard seat includes a starboard backrest, the port backrest formed at a port portion of a periphery of the bow passenger area, and the starboard backrest formed at a starboard portion of the periphery of the bow passenger area. 